Common problems

Here are some common problems you and your change team may experience and some strategies to address them: 

Common Problem Strategies to address the problem
A lack of active engagement by network members due to competing priorities
  • Leverage the focus of the network with other priorities and emphasize how engagement in the network can benefit other priorities in terms of access to resources. 
The focus of the network no longer aligns with current priorities
  • Reframe or reposition the goals of the social movement to refresh interest and relevance with members of the network.
An erosion or breakdown of trust
  • Address the concerns or conflicts regarding the breakdown of trust with openness and transparency.
  • Engage network members in establishing or re-establishing terms of reference to clarify roles, responsibilities and expectations.   

Lost or low momentum or engagement in the network  
  • Continue to recruit members to the network. Strategically target potential new members in areas where resources are needed with relevant and focused information. Consider all members of your social capital, including those with strong and weak ties. In cases where the priorities of the social movement have shifted, groups with weaker ties may be more relevant and central to the purpose of the network. 
  • Maintain contact with network members on a regular basis using communication platforms such as social media and group email.  
  • Continue to recruit members to the network to bring new ideas and energy. Be mindful of the realities of staff/stakeholder/leadership turnover and the need to proactively recruit and mentor new leaders.  

SOURCES: Campbell, 2020; Claridge, 2018; Hofmeyer & Marck, 2008; International Council for Nurses, 2010.

linkages

Accelerate Your Success: The Knowledge-to-Action Framework’s ‘Adapt knowledge to local context’ action cycle phase includes strategies on how to conduct a stakeholders analysis to be able to gauge the level of support and interest by others for a change initiative. This approach can also be helpful for building and sustaining the membership of a network by determining if there are other stakeholders (i.e., individuals, groups and/or organizations) who also support your shared concern or strongly desired goal and are interested in joining the network. Visit Identify stakeholders in your local context to find out more.